MEET MARALOVE

Mariel Mendez is a Latin American artist and founder of MARALOVE, a brand focused on artistic vanguards, showing through illustration the sensitivity of women and the expression of fashion in our times. Using bright colors and mixing different styles and techniques when making portraits. Her work has been exhibited in the United States and Mexico. She is currently exhibiting at Manchester Grand Hyatt Downtown (San Diego) and Westfield Mission Valley (San Diego, CA).

What was your first approach to art?

My first approach to art was from my childhood. I began to develop the taste from elementary school where I participated in art activities. Furthermore, I have a memory of a Christmas where my parents gave me a case that had colors, markers, scissors and also sheets to start with art activities.

How would you define your work, what stories are your trying to tell, and what are you trying to convey?

I define my art and my work as very free and colorful, very attached to my emotions. What I want to tell behind art is the emotional expression that each one of us has during life. The final product is to see a painting that makes you feel or see an emotion.

How would you describe in conceptual terms your proposal applied to fashion?

The project of linking art with fashion is to combine/merge my pictorial works with the physical. My illustrations focus on creating characters and I am inspired by every detail of them, whether from clothing, makeup, accessories and settings. What I show in my works I take to the physical plane, where viewers can carry my creations and feel part of them.

How did you star mixing your art with fashion?

I started painting clothes with a jeans jacket, because a person asked me for a personalized one and at that moment, I discovered that I liked to intervene and add accessories, for me it was an approach to something I wanted to do, which was to design clothes. I haven't taken the time to learn sewing, so I think it was a way I was able to combine art with a made garment. How does your brand take on the challenge of sustainability in fashion?

I reuse materials in my creations and make interventions on previously used clothing. I propose to give a new image to those garments to reuse them by adding a new touch; creating a different outfit. Whats is your favourite part of being a fashion designer?

I do not consider myself a fashion designer, I am a creative artist who works in fashion, not necessarily trends, but I love having the opportunity to experiment with different fabrics, with different applications and materials. Merging art with fashion is a very satisfying experience. Who or what inspires your to create your collections?

I am very inspired by music, shapes, textures, clothing, everyday people I see walking, images that capture my attention. Other artists inspire me and make me see that there are challenges that I can explore. Basically I am inspired by everything, anything that goes from day to day in my life. Any moment and circumstance triggers my inspiration, since I have the inspiration, it gives me creativity to capture.

Did you have an artist you looked up when growing up?

I admire many famous and not famous artists, but I think the ones I admired the most were those everyday people who made and loved art.

How do you want women to feel when wearing your clothes?

I would like people who wear my personalized clothes to feel free, empowered, and creative.

What keeps your creativity going?

I It is a born value. I always have it alert. My way of seeing life may be different from other people's, but what I feel is that everything seems creative to me. Any place, object, idea. I see everything that way.

How do you balance life?

I balance my life naturally, I don't have something strict to work, I can work on different days, it doesn't matter if they are holidays, but I also give time for myself, for my family, for my emotional well-being, and I try to balance and take it from a

“My illustrations focus on creating characters and I am inspired by every detail of them.” profitable way for me and my business. Is there a second passion or a hobby in your life besides art and fashion?

I like to spend my time with my family, I also like to swim, it is not something frequent but it is something that I enjoy.

Looking back, how would you define the path you have taken so far? And what do you hope for in your future?

I really like the route I have taken because it has been fluid in conjunction with what I believe and expect of myself, for my personal challenges. I have done everything with a purpose and to feel better, as a personal motivation. Always taking into consideration others and thinking about what is best for you. I hope to work on developing my creativity and my essence for my future. What are you currently working on?

Right now, I am working in a space where I take my clothes and my paintings, using it as my gallery but it will also be a space to share with other artists who want to exhibit.

What is the secret of your success?

I don't consider myself a successful person in terms of money, but I consider myself successful as a person because I have love. I have a family and I live in constant growth as a person. I do not consider myself successful in my business because you are always working and with something new that you feel you can do better. You must reach a point where your business flows on its own.